FRA - An exceptional and exemplary World Championship

The first ever FIBA U17 World Championship for Women will be held in Toulouse and Rodez, France from 16th to 25th July 2010.

The draw for the competition took place on 12th February and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) used the occasion to outline its strong commitment to the sustainability of the event.

While the 12 best teams in the world in that age category are expected to produce ahigh level of play on the court, the tournament will also be notable because of the outstanding commitment to the community.

FIBA called on the French Basketball Federation (FFBB) to organise the event in conjunction with the LOC and they were awarded the label Agenda 21 - Sport and Sustainable Development from the French National Olympic Committee (CNOSF). It is the first time that the label has been attributed to a team sporting event.

The label is testament to the fact that the tournament leads by example from an environmental standpoint as well as economic and social ones. This is based on three areas: the satisfaction of practitioners, setting out and meeting environmental requirements and having sustained and positive economic and social benefits.

LOC Co-President and Chairperson of the Midi-Pyrénées Basketball League Cathy Giscou said: “Beyond the sporting aspect, obtaining this label must be an exemplary springboard for the policy of our league and the organisation of future events. This great human adventure will be beneficial from all points of view.”
 
A sporting and exemplary educational event
In order to obtain this label of excellence, the event in its entirety was considered, designed and organised with sustainability in mind. The issue of transport is a perfect example of that. A number of solutions will be put in place, from the use of electric cars – hybrids and/or ones with low CO2 emissions – to availing of public transport tickets offered in partnership with Tisséo, the public transport network for the city of Toulouse. Additionally, the Midi-Pyrénées region, in collaboration with the French National Railways (SNCF), is offering free tickets to travel between the two host cities.

The LOC also wishes to develop a civic and educational dimension through “sustainable” theme days over the course of the event: basketball-citizen, women in sport, sport and disability, health and nutrition are a few of the themes.

Similarly, a partnership with humanitarian organisation Secours Populaire plans to invite children to attend games.

All these activities will take place within the basketball village.

The event’s mascot symbolises this sporting and durable dynamic. “Naturally” is a green character shaped as a 12-leaf clover (representing the 12 countries taking part in the competition) and will provide entertainment at the André Brouat Palais des Sports of Toulouse as well as the Amphitheatre of Rodez.

Make a note then of 16th July, the opening day of a tournament with a strong emphasis on ecological sustainability.